Thousands of car accidents occur every day (15,913, to be precise, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Many are low-impact fender benders or other minor crashes. Some, however, involve major expenses, either from the resulting damage or the injuries sustained during the accident.

When it comes to car accidents, sometimes the real damage doesn’t occur until long after the crash itself. Depending on the circumstances of the incident and how much you are determined to be “at fault” for the accident, you may be on the hook for a substantial amount of money. And even if your insurance covers the damages and/or injuries involved, your rates are going to climb according to exactly how much you were to blame.

Of all life’s would-be experience, few things leave a person more disoriented than a car accident. Beyond the speed and shock of the actual collision—which can be debilitating even if you are physically unhurt—you are suddenly faced with an abundance of questions, concerns, and fears.